Lakhs participate in Bahuda Yatra

Lakhs of devotees soaked in spiritual fervour took part in the Bahuda Yatra (return car festival) of Lord Jagannath and His siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, in the pilgrim town of Puri Saturday.

- PNN & AGENCIES

The day began with performance of daily rituals of the deities, including Mangal Arati, Mailum, Tadap Lagi, Abakash, Surya Puja, and Rosa Homa. The deities were dressed in fresh attire and offered Gopal Bhog before the ceremonial Pahandi (procession).

Daita servitors prepared the deities for Pahandi by adorning them with traditional body armours. The deities were then ceremonially escorted from the sanctum sanctorum of Gundicha temple in Dhadi Pahandi to mount their respective chariots.

The procession began with Lord Balabhadra, followed by Devi Subhadra, and finally Lord Jagannath. As soon as Lord Jagannath emerged from the Nakachana Dwar of the Gundicha temple, the air reverberated with chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Haribol'.